New York Gets Adam Ottavino From Colorado
For one season of his Major League career Adam Ottavino pitched for Saint Louis before spending his next seven seasons with Colorado.
Starting in 2019 though the right -hander will be pitching in the Bronx.
The Yankees added another major piece to their vaunted bullpen Thursday, agreeing to a three-year, $27 million contract with the 33-year-old Ottavino, sources confirmed to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi and Mark Feinsand. The club hasn't confirmed the deal. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
Ottavino, who grew up in Brooklyn and restored his stock after a disappointing 2017 season by working out in a vacant Harlem strip mall, will join Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Chad Green and fellow free-agent signee Zach Britton to form what could be one of the top relief corps in the Majors. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
Having refined his mechanics with the help of high-tech equipment in what had previously been a shoe store -- his father-in-law, a real-estate developer, loaned him the space in exchange for a Nolan Arenado signed bat -- Ottavino enjoyed a breakout season in 2018 for the Rockies. In 77 2/3 innings, Ottavino posted a 2.43 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP, six saves and 112 strikeouts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
Ottavino's high-velocity heat and videogame slider have given hitters fits, and while speaking on MLB.com's Statcast™ podcast in December, he opined that the greatest slugger of the 20th century would struggle against today's pitching. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
Ottavino's high-velocity heat and videogame slider have given hitters fits, and while speaking on MLB.com's Statcast™ podcast in December, he opined that the greatest slugger of the 20th century would struggle against today's pitching. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
"I had an argument with a coach in Triple-A about Babe Ruth's effectiveness in today's game," Ottavino said. "I said, 'Babe Ruth, with that swing, swinging that bat, I got him hitting .140 with eight homers.' He was like, 'Are you nuts? Babe Ruth would hit .370 with 60 homers,' and I'm like, 'I would strike Babe Ruth out every time.' “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
"I'm not trying to disrespect him, you know, rest in peace, shout out to Babe Ruth. But it was a different game. I mean, the guy ate hot dogs and drank beer and did whatever he did. It was just a different game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
The right-hander projects to fill the bullpen spot vacated by the departure of David Robertson, who signed with the Phillies earlier this month.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226
The Yanks have had a busy offseason, re-signing Britton, CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ while adding James Paxton, Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu, who also played for Colorado in 2018 “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/adam-ottavino-deal-with-yankees/c-302833226